Spiritual Blogs
Seven Habits For Building A Strong Marriage
Since we are away, teaching at a marriage retreat, it seems a good time to post some habits my husband and I have developed over the years which have helped to make our marriage strong. Thirty-seven years later, there is no one I would rather spend time with than my husband – my best friend.
If I were to list the most important habits we have incorporated into our marriage they would be:
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Practice daily prayer together. – It has been so meaningful to us to take our gratitude, concerns and requests to God as a couple, as well as individually. I love the scripture in Exodus 33:12-17.
A Lady in France: Go-to Scriptures
When I first started to read the Bible I was absolutely amazed at how easy it was to understand it. I didn't need anyone to explain it to me. Sure, there were some passages for which I needed clarification; and I definitely needed help in putting the Scriptures into practice (that's one of the roles of the church). But I could understand it all by myself.
A Lady in France: Fear
I took my daughter to see Sleeping Beauty at the Opera Bastille on Saturday night. I had reserved the tickets weeks ago, knowing that it's a good thing to take your daughter to see the ballet and spend quality time together. It's a good thing to take advantage of all that Paris has to offer. Plus I have this (very challenging because it means I need to leave my house) section on my blog about France and I need to find things to talk about.
Church at its Best
On Friday night we drove to our friends' house for a baptism, and half the church was there to celebrate it. Fredérique is a college chemistry teacher who studied the Bible for four years (only doing so because her husband is a member of our church). She is analytical, scientific, rational. She was a confirmed atheist.
How to Raise Respectful Children
Me to Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome, six blink-of-an-eye years ago: “So I think it’s time to start dealing with our oldest child. Ever since she turned three, she’s been testing me. She thinks she’s Head Woman of the house, not me. She argues with every little thing I say, down to me telling her she’s got blood gushing out of her nose, and she’s like, 'No I don’t.' And I’m so tired and pulled in so many directions with the other two babies, I could really use your help dealing with her.”
"Yes, Lord"
"Yes, Lord.” It’s a sentence that many of us believers say and hear all the time. “Yes, Lord, I will go there.” “Yes, Lord, I will say that.” “Yes, Lord, I will do that!” “Yes, Lord, yes, amen”
These statements sound so positive, so powerful, full of conviction, strength and total obedience. When we respond “Yes, Lord,” in these types of situations we feel strong and awesome!
The One with All the Remembering
Ever had a season where things weren't quite what you expected? A time when you expected glory and victory only to be met with struggle and straining? Although I wish we could just go from strength to strength in our spiritual walk, it seems like we typically go from mountaintop to valley and valley to mountaintop over and over again. And during the valleys, I immediately forget the glory of the mountaintop! Instead, (and maybe I'm the only one), I bemoan the valley like I've never ever EVER reached a summit at all! A tad dramatic, right? Well, as I've been reflecting on this truth, I've come across something interesting in the Scriptures that I wanted to share this morning.
Spiritual Editing
Mark-ups (whether red, purple or blue) from editing are my friends. A fellow writer and dear friend once told me of his posture toward editors—they are his welcomed friends. Thanks, Gordon. He told me he accepts most all of the input they give him. Ironically, he taught me much about accepting “spiritual editing” in the same manner. You see, writing books and articles can make me feel very vulnerable. I write because I desire to share things that help me connect to God and his Word. I pray these things will benefit many others. But the voice in my head can say: What if this sounds stupid, or makes no sense? Is this any good? Is it helpful to anyone?
13 Ways to Teach Kids Responsibility (Part 2)
This week on the LizzyLife blog we’re talking about ways we can help our kids develop responsibility. There are so many simple things we can do at home to plant seeds of responsibility in their hearts and in their habits. Over time, those seeds will grow, helping our kids to develop integrity, independence, and a strong work ethic. And you wanna know the best part about these 13 things? They make our life as parents easier! They take work off of us! Initially, it may take some thought and effort as we teach kids about taking responsibility for their own toys or chores or homework, but in the end it all adds up to less work for us! Can I get an “amen”?!
13 Ways to Teach Kids Responsibility (Part 1)
Sometimes in the day-to-day grind of laundry and dishes and diapers, we lose sight of the end goal of parenting. One of our biggest jobs is to parent ourselves out of a job. Parenting ourselves out of a job means raising responsible kids who mature into trustworthy, independent, self-sufficient adults. (My fellow hyper-sentimental parents who want our babies to stay forever cuddly in their footy pajamas can join me in a little they-grow-up-too-fast sniffle here. Okay. Let’s try to put aside our tissues and move on.)
